Compositons and methods comprising nitrification inhibitors containing a mixture of protic and aprotic solvent systems

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to increasing longevity of the nitrogen content of soil through improved liquid delivery formulations of nitrification inhibitors. The liquid formulation can also be comprised of nitrification inhibitors and optionally urease inhibitors that are blended solutions of each. The nitrification inhibitors are present in a mixture that comprises both a protic and an aprotic solvent system. The novel formulations are designed to be applied to fertilizers, especially urea and manure based fertilizers. The delivery formulations provide an environmentally sound and inherently safe solvating system that improves the storage stability of the urease inhibitors by utilizing liquid organic non-water containing solvents, maintains the nitrification inhibitors in solution to storage temperatures of at least 10° C., and provides improved application to fertilizer of nitrification inhibitors. These delivery formulations enable safe storage, transport and subsequent application or blending with urea-based or manure-based fertilizers that can be applied to soil in either a liquid or granular form to provide improved nitrogen retention in the soil for uptake for plant life.

The present invention is a continuation and claims priority under 35 USC 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/689,470 filed Apr. 17, 2015, which in turn claims priority under 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/980,675, filed Apr. 17, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to increasing and/or maintaining nitrogen content in soil by administration of an improved liquid formulation. In one embodiment, the liquid formulation comprises nitrification inhibitors. In, the liquid formulations are designed to be used in conjunction with urea and/or manure based fertilizers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agriculture currently utilizes fertilizers to deliver the needed nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium to plants through the application of fertilizers to the soil. Nitrogen generally is the most yield-limiting and costly nutrient element in crop production. Fertilizers are based on nitrogen content, mainly urea and additional plant nutrients and additives. Fertilizers can either be formulated as man-made products or natural organic based animal manure. Nitrogen is the primary nutrient in fertilizers and urea is the primary nitrogen source in fertilizers. Thus, fertilizers have become one vehicle for increasing the nitrogen content in the soil to assist in maintaining the health, overall quality, growth and yields of many of the plants important to agriculture and to civilization. Nitrogen is usually formulated into fertilizer by one or more of urea and/or ammonium nitrate and/or ammonium sulfate and/or manure and/or ammonium phosphate and/or the like.

Generally, the fertilizer is applied to the soil as either a liquid or a solid. Maintaining a sufficient level of nitrogen concentration in the soil proves difficult over time due to nitrogen and nitrogen containing compounds (such as urea) solubilities in water.

When rain or water run-off contacts the soil, the nitrogen or nitrogen containing compounds may be carried with the water to surrounding water-ways.

Alternatively, the degradation of nitrogen content may be attributed to volatilization (such as for ammonia and NOx where x is 1, 2 or 3) and water runoff due to the better water solubility of nitrites/nitrates. Loss due to volatilization is sometimes driven by a urease enzyme that catalyzes hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide and to the biological oxidation by soil microbes, such as Nitrosomonas bacteria, of NH3 or NH4 to NOx's such as nitric oxide, an atmospheric greenhouse gas which, on a molecular basis, has 310 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. This results in a substantial loss of nitrogen content in the fertilizer impacting costs to the farmer. Moreover, the loss of nitrogen from the soil results not only in water pollution but also atmospheric pollution.

Nitrogen in the soil is also lost by the attack of nitrogen and nitrogen containing compounds (such as urea) by enzymes like the urease enzyme. Attack by the urease enzyme causes urea to degrade to carbon dioxide and ammonia. Biological oxidations by soil microbes, such as Nitrosomonas bacteria, of ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen are also a cause of the diminishing nitrogen content in soil over time. While the conversion of urea to ammonia and oxidation of ammonia to nitrates within the soil is beneficial to plants, conversions occurring on top of the soil, where fertilizers are applied, also results in a loss of nitrogen. To improve the longevity of nitrogen in the soil, fertilizers have been treated with nitrification inhibitors and urease inhibitors. These inhibitors are usually imparted onto the surface of fertilizer granules or added to liquid fertilizers through an aqueous solution.

Thus, it is desired that one increase the life expectancy of nitrogen in the soil to insure more consistent levels of nitrogen during the growing season while also decreasing the number of times the fertilizer is applied to the soil. Increasing the life expectancy of nitrogen in soil while simultaneously decreasing the number of applications of fertilizer will lower the overall cost to the agriculture industry while at the same time limiting the amount of nitrogen carried into the waterways. The present methods that are used create polluting conditions that are believed to have fueled the formation of the Gulf Dead Zone, the formation of toxic algal blooms as well as damage to drinking water supplies. Thus, finding delivery formulations that are safe for the environment and for animals and that contain the proper levels of nitrification inhibitors and/or urease inhibitors that may be applied directly to the soil in a liquid form or imparted onto fertilizer granules as a one-step application would be advantageous to the agricultural industry. Such a treated fertilizer would also assist in slowing two major biological processes that cause substantial loss of nitrogen in soil while simultaneously assisting in controlling pollution of our water and atmosphere.

Various methods as disclosed in the patents below, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. These methods have been proposed and developed for controlling volatile nitrogen losses from urea.

Barth (U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,734) introduces the concept of the use of polyacids, which contain nitrification inhibitors, and pyrazole derivatives for the treatment of inorganic fertilizers;

Halpern (U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,984) shows how to prepare 1, 1-dichloro-2-propanone and acrylonitrile by the formation and further reaction of 4, 4-dichloro-5-oxo-hexanenitrile, which are utilized as herbicides and as a nitrification inhibitor.

Evrard (U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,604) discloses the use of selected N-(2, 6-dimethylphenyl)-alanine methyl ester compounds as ammonium nitrification inhibitors.

Michaud (U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,332) describes aqueous solutions of commonly used fertilizers which also contain dicyandiamide, in an amount to provide at least 10% by weight of dicyandiamide nitrogen which is an effective nitrification inhibitor.

Sutton et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,689) teach the use of liquid fertilizer that includes urease inhibitors such as NBPT and nitrification inhibitor such as dicyandiamide in aqueous mixtures of urea, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium thiosulfate and potentially other plant growth improving compounds.

Sutton (U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,711) provides a method for developing a dry, flowable additive for aqueous urea-based fertilizers based on solid urea formaldehyde polymer, N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide, and, optionally, dicyandiamide that imparts reduced nitrogen loss from the soil. Also, Sutton provides that the dry additive may be blended with molten or solid urea to form a solid urea-based fertilizer with reduced nitrogen loss from the soil.

While many of these techniques have a positive impact of maintaining the level of nitrogen in the soil, they also have significant problems. For example, problems that have adversely affected the agricultural industry include costs of improvement, loss of viability upon storage, and the inability to deliver consistent levels of fertilizer due to poor coating of the inhibitors or clumping of granules. Some innovations utilize aqueous delivery systems to granular fertilizer. However, aqueous delivery systems not only cause fertilizer to clump, but if this fertilizer has also been coated with an alkyl thiophosphoric triamide such as nBTP, the presence of moisture will cause degradation of the alkyl thiophosphoric triamide. Other techniques utilize adding DCD powder to other solids, which is costly due to major fertilizer producers' processes for are continuous and not batch operations. Thus, there is a need for a non-aqueous liquid formulation containing a nitrification inhibitor, which addresses many of the shortcomings discussed above providing more flexability for fertilizer manufactures to produce products designed to the soil requirement in different regions of the world.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Urea is a desirable starting material for fertilizers and fertilizer additives, which can provide high nitrogen content and can be used in fertilizer products that provide phosphorus or potassium as primary nutrients, and calcium, magnesium, or sulfur as secondary nutrients or micronutrients such as boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. These fertilizer products can deliver the nutrients to the soil and through numerous biological processes can be converted to forms that are capable of being absorbed by plants.

In embodiments, the present invention relates to improved solvent formulations for the Nitrification inhibitor Dicyandiamide, hereafter referred to by its acronym DCD. DCD is a solid chemical substance, which is dissolved in a suitable solvent to allow application at low levels in the field. Additionally, solutions of DCD are desirable when it is to be incorporated as a component of a granular mixed fertilizer, such that it can be deposited as a coating in a controlled and homogenous layer. In one embodiment, this invention proposes formulations of mixtures containing aprotic and protic solvents which are more environmentally friendly and are safe for workers to handle.

In one embodiment, improved delivery formulations have been developed that deliver expected and effective levels of nitrification inhibitors that increase the nitrogen longevity in the soil. It has been found that the delivery formulations of the present invention provide a liquid vehicle to deliver an even, non-clumping application of the desired inhibitors to the fertilizer granule. These new delivery formulations for nitrification inhibitors are non-water-containing organo-liquids that improve storage life of urease inhibitors such as alkyl thiophosphoric triamides over those formulations containing greater than 1% water. In fact, because of the present invention, one can now combine both nitrification and urease inhibitors in one product by either blending together the dispersions of each or by combining the dispersions of both inhibitors in the same improved solvent formulations.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to improved compositions of organo-liquid ingredients in a solvating system that:

-   -   Are environmentally safe;     -   Have flashpoints above 145° F.;     -   Are inherently rated safe for contact with humans and animals;     -   Maintain the nitrification inhibitors at levels of 1 -50% in         solution to storage temperatures down to at least 10° C.;     -   Provides improved even application to fertilizer granules of         nitrification inhibitors while not causing clumping of the         granules.     -   Substantially free of water     -   In one embodiment, it has also been discovered that while         various organo-liquids might meet some of the above criteria,         the delivery system of the present invention can be optimized to         provide a formulation with a high concentration of inhibitors         while maintaining a low chill point by combining two or more         organo-liquids in a solvating system. In one embodiment, one         process for preparing the formulations of the present invention         is to heat the combined solvents to temperatures approaching         about ˜80° C. and charging the nitrification inhibitor(s) in a         combined level of 10-60% of the total formula composition, which         can be dissolved in the solvent mixture with moderate agitation.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an effective solvent combination that comprises dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which can be used in combination with another organo-liquid delivery system that has a low chill point and good solvating properties. One advantage of using DMSO is that DMSO can be a source of the important nutrient of sulfur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing representing urea prills associated with the present invention wherein the average diameter size 1 of each prill is 3.2 mm. FIG. 1 shows that the prills have been treated with a composition according to the present invention wherein the average penetration depth 2 of the composition into each prill is approximately 0.5 mm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Improved delivery formulations have been developed that deliver effective levels of nitrification inhibitors that increase the nitrogen longevity in the soil. These delivery formulations not only provide a liquid vehicle to deliver an even, non-clumping application of the desired inhibitors to the fertilizer granule, but it has been discovered that formulations based on non-aqueous solvating systems improve the storage life of the important urease inhibitors, such as alkyl thiophosphoric triamides. Alkyl thiophosphoric triamides, if present in combination with nitrification inhibitors as contained in the present formulations, have been shown to be extremely effective urease inhibitors but suffer from degradation upon storage if exposed to moisture. Thus, in one embodiment the present invention relates to compositions that are substantially free of water.

The delivery system of the present invention is based on improved solvent formulations (s) that is used to solubilize one or more nitrification inhibitors and can contain one or more of the following:

-   -   Urease inhibitor(s);     -   Additives such as but not limited to surfactants, buffers,         fragrance/odor masking agents, colorants, micro-nutrients,         and/or flow modifiers such as silica.

In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention contain one or more nitrification inhibitors, and one or more urease inhibitors. These compositions optionally contain one or more of surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, colorants, micro-nutrients, and/or flow modifiers.

In one embodiment, the improved solvent formulations of the present invention meet one or more of the following criteria: They are:

-   -   environmentally safe;     -   thermally safe because they have flashpoints above 145° F.;     -   inherently rated safe for contact with humans and animals;     -   able to maintain nitrification inhibitors at levels of 1 -50% in         solution to temperatures down to at least 10° C.; This ability         means that these compositions have relatively long storage         lives;     -   able to provide improved and even application to fertilizer         granules of nitrification inhibitors while not causing clumping         of the granules;     -   substantially free of water which also provides improved         stability of urease inhibitors, primarily alkyl         thiophosphoramides such as N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide         (NBPT).

In some embodiments, the stability of the composition is at least 10% more relative to known solvating systems containing water.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to liquid formulations containing DCD. In an embodiment, the formulations can be made by dissolving the DCD into an aprotic solvent consisting of a) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), b) dialkyl, diaryl, or alkylaryl sulfoxide having the formula R₁—SO—R₂,

when R₁ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl and R₂ is ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl,

c) mixed with protic component(s) consisting of 1) an alcohol or polyol from the family of alkylene and poly(alkylene) glycols (PG), 2) an alkylene glycol from the group comprised of ethylene, propylene, or butylene glycol, 3) glycerin, 4) an alkanolamine from the group comprising ethanolamine, diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, methyl diethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and triethanolamine, 5) alkylene glycol alkyl ethers from the group comprising Tripropylene glycol methyl ether, Tripropylene glycol butyl ether and/or 6) ethyl, propyl, or butyl lactate.

Additionally, the delivery formulations of the present invention may contain one or more of the following:

-   -   a food coloring or dye that may be used to improve the visual         evidence of complete coverage and serve as a visual marker;     -   scents or masking agents to improve the odor of the         formulations;     -   Nonionic, anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and /or amphoteric         surfactants to improve formula application performance of         fertilizer granules; and     -   Buffering agents     -   One or more urease inhibitors in an organic liquid dispersing         system;

In one embodiment, the formulations of the present invention may use Dicyandiamide at levels from between about 5-50% of the total composition. Using concentrations in this range gives cost effective performance and provides the secondary benefit of being a slow release fertilizer. It is believed that this is due to the relatively high 65% nitrogen content. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for compositions that are substantially free of water. These compositions provide advantages over the systems of the prior art that use water as the delivery solvent. The present invention is also advantageous relative to other systems that have used cost prohibitive coating/adhesion technologies or powder additives to the formation of the fertilizer particle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the utilization of ambient temperature organic solvent systems allows for non-clumping granules. Moreover, use of these ambient temperature organic solvent systems prevents thermal degradation of these compositions. In one embodiment, urease inhibitors such as phosphoric triamides are ideally suited for providing fertilizer systems an additive that are not susceptible to degradation or degradation of the fertilizer system(s) itself. In one embodiment, the present invention allows for the additional benefit that coating or adhesion is not needed to maintain a consistent level of nitrification inhibitor on the fertilizer.

In an embodiment, the formulation(s) of the present invention may contain one or more nitrification inhibitors in combination with one or more urease inhibitors. Urease inhibitors can be but are not limited to phosphoric triamides. While phosphoric triamides are extremely effective, thiophosphoric triamides have longer term impact on soil nitrogen content and also contribute the primary nutrient of sulfur to the soil. The presence of an alkyl group on thiophosphoric triamides, such as n-butyl thiophosphoric triamide, improves further the urease inhibitor's longevity in the soil. In an embodiment, it has been found that effective levels of urease inhibitor in the delivery system are from about 5-50% or from about 10-50% or from about 20-40% of the total concentration of the formulation(s).

In an embodiment, Dicyandiamide (DCD) may be incorporated in amounts that are about 10-45% of a formulation mixture that also contains DMSO and propylene glycol at ratios from about 80/20 to 20/80. In an embodiment, DCD may be added, under agitation, to the combined organic liquids that have been heated in a mixing vessel at a temperature of about 0° C. to 100° C., or alternatively to a temperature of about 40° C. to 100° C., or alternatively to a temperature of about 60° C. to 100° C., or alternatively to a temperature of about 70° C. to 100° C., and mixed until the DCD is completely dissolved. In an embodiment, the heated mix vessel may be jacketed and the temperature carefully controlled. In a variation, the mixing action allows complete mixing without too much aeration. Heating can be accomplished using hot water or low pressure steam to control any hot spots on walls of the vessel to prevent heat degradation to the DCD. Alternatively, the mixing may be done at reduced pressure or the action can be performed in an inert atmosphere (such as but not limited to nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide) to limit thermal or oxidative degradation. At this stage (after the initial mixing), the mixture may be cooled to about 25° C. or below and one or more of the following may be added, if desired:

-   -   One or more urease inhibitors dispersed in an organic liquid         dispersing system;     -   a food coloring or dye to improve the visual evidence of         complete coverage and serve as a visual marker;     -   scents or masking agents to improve the odor of the formula;     -   Nonionic, anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and /or amphoteric         surfactants to improve formula application performance of         fertilizer granules; and/or     -   Buffering agents.         In an embodiment, Dicyandiamide (DCD) may be incorporated in an         amount that is between about 10-45% of the total formulation         amount wherein the formulation also contains a mixture of DMSO         and one or more of ethylene and or propylene glycol present at         ratios between about 80/20 to 20/80 by volume or by mass. In an         embodiment, DCD may be added, under agitation, to the combined         organic liquids that have been heated in a mixing vessel at a         temperature of about 0° C. to 100° C. or alternatively to a         temperature of about 40° C. to 100° C., or alternatively to a         temperature of about 60° C. to 100° C., or alternatively to a         temperature of about 70° C. to 100° C., and mixed until the DCD         is completely dissolved. In an embodiment, the heated mix vessel         may be jacketed and the temperature carefully controlled. In a         variation, the mixing action allows complete mixing without too         much aeration. The heating can be accomplished using hot water         or low pressure steam to control any hot spots on walls of the         vessel to prevent heat degradation to the DCD. Alternatively,         mixing may occur at reduced pressure or the action can be         performed in an inert atmosphere (such as but not limited to         nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide) to limit thermal or oxidative         degradation. One or more of the following may be added, if         desired:     -   one or more urease inhibitors dispersed in an organic liquid         dispersing system;     -   a food coloring or dye that improves the visual evidence of         complete coverage and serves as a visual marker;     -   scents or masking agents that improve the odor of the formula;     -   nonionic, anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and /or amphoteric         surfactants to improve formula application performance on         insuring even distribution and of fertilizer granules in the         soil: and/or     -   buffering agents.

In an embodiment, one or more additional urease inhibitors and/or one or more additional nitrification inhibitors may be added to formulations of the present invention. In an embodiment, the additional urease inhibitor and/or nitrification inhibitor may be dissolved in the mixture. In an embodiment, useful mixtures may be prepared either by dilution or mixture with liquid fertilizers.

Examples of the present formulation include liquid mixtures of urea or solid mixtures that may be made by contacting the mixture with solid fertilizers such as granular urea. In an embodiment, coated granular urea can be prepared by using any commercially available equipment in which granular product can be mixed or sprayed with a liquid. A flow aid, silicas or surfactants such as soap or nonionic surfactants may be added prior to addition of the liquid for improved dispersability.

The resulting product(s) can be applied to soil in either a liquid or granular form to provide improved nitrogen retention in the soil for uptake for plant life.

In an embodiment, the one or more nitrification inhibitors comprises dicyanoamides and the one or more urease inhibitors comprises phosphoramides.

In an embodiment, the composition may comprise one or more of surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, colorants, micro-nutrients, and/or flow modifiers.

In an embodiment, the one or more nitrification inhibitors comprises dicyandiamide in a formulation wherein dicyandiamide is present in an amount that is between about 10-45% of a total formulation amount and the formulation also contains a mixture of DMSO and propylene glycol in ratios that are between about 20/80 to 80/20.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises one or more nitrification inhibitors that comprises dicyandiamide in a formulation wherein dicyandiamide is present in an amount that is between about 10-45% of a total formulation amount and the formulation also comprises N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide.

In an embodiment, the composition is substantially free of water.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to fertilizer additives. In one embodiment, the fertilizer additive comprises one or more nitrification inhibitors and one or more urease inhibitors.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition comprising one or more nitrification inhibitors in an organic liquid solvating system comprising at least one of an aprotic solvent and a protic solvent. The composition may contain both a protic solvent and an aprotic solvent. The composition optionally contains DMSO. Typical protic solvents that may be used in conjunction with the compositions of the present invention include various types of glycols. Examples of these glycols include tripropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol, and propylene glycol. Typical aprotic solvents include DMSO, propylene carbonate, N,N-dimethyl 9-decenamide, and dimethyl acetamide.

In one variation, the present invention includes a nitrification inhibitor, DMSO and any one or more of the following solvents: tripropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol, propylene carbonate, N,N-dimethyl 9-decenamide, and dimethyl acetamide.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition comprising one or more nitrification inhibitors in an organic liquid solvating system comprising a mixture of aprotic and protic solvents

wherein the aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide, dialkyl sulfoxide, diaryl sulfoxide, or an alkylaryl sulfoxide having the formula R₁—SO—R₂,

wherein R₁ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl and R₂ is ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl,

and the protic component(s) is/are one or more of 1) an alcohol or polyol from the family of C₁₋₁₀ alkynols and poly(C₁₋₁₀ alkylene) glycols, 2) an alkylene glycol selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, and butylene glycol, 3) glycerin, 4) an alkanolamine selected from the group consisting of ethanolamine, diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, methyl diethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and triethanolamine, 5) alkylene glycol alkyl ethers selected from the group consisting of Tripropylene glycol methyl ether, and Tripropylene glycol butyl ether and/or 6) ethyl, propyl, or butyl lactate.

In one variation, the one or more nitrification inhibitors may comprise dicyandiamide.

In an embodiment, the aprotic component is dimethyl sulfoxide.

In one variation, the composition may comprise dimethyl sulfoxide and the amount of dimethyl sulfoxide in the composition may be between about 90/10 and 10/90 (by volume or by weight) of the composition.

In one embodiment, the one or more nitrification inhibitors may comprise dicyandiamide in a formulation wherein dicyandiamide may be present in an amount that is between about 10-45% of the total formulation amount and the formulation may optionally also contain a mixture of DMSO and propylene glycol in ratios that are between about 20/80 to 80/20.

In an embodiment, the composition may further comprise one or more of surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, colorants, micro-nutrients, dispersed urease inhibitor(s) and/or flow modifiers.

In a variation, the one or more nitrification inhibitors may comprise dicyandiamide in a formulation wherein dicyandiamide is present in an amount that is between about 10-45 of the total formulation amount and the formulation may optionally also contain a mixture of DMSO and propylene glycol in ratios that are between about 20/80 to 80/20.

In one embodiment, the one or more nitrification inhibitors may comprise dicyandiamide in a formulation wherein dicyandiamide is present in an amount that is between about 10-45% of the total formulation amount and the formulation may optionally also comprise N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide.

In one variation, the composition may be substantially free of water.

In an embodiment, the fertilizer additive has one or more nitrification inhibitors that comprises dicyanoamides and one or more urease inhibitors that comprises phosphoramides.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to making compositions and fertilizer additives. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of making a composition to be added to a fertilizer, wherein the method comprises:

heating a mixture comprising one or more nitrification inhibitors;

cooling the mixture to a temperature that optionally allows addition of one or more of surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, colorants, micro-nutrients, and/or flow modifiers.

In one variation of the method, the method comprises further adding the composition to a fertilizer.

In one variation, the method comprises a composition that has one or more nitrification inhibitors, the one or more nitrification inhibitors being selected from the group consisting of 2-chloro-6-trichloromethyl pyridine, 4-Amino-1,2,4-6-triazole-HCl, 2,4-Diamino-6-trichloromethyltriazine CL-1580, Dicyandiamide, thiourea, 1-Mercapto-1,2,4-triazole, and 2-Amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine.

In one embodiment, the method has a composition that comprises one or more nitrification inhibitors containing dicyanoamides and one or more urease inhibitors containing phosphoramides.

In one embodiment, the method has a composition that is substantially free of water. The following Examples are presented to illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

65 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 25 grams of dicyandiamide was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 38° C. and 10 grams of tripropylene glycol methyl ether was added. The mixture was cooled to <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 2

69 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 15 grams of dicyandiamide was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 40° C. and then 10 grams of 2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine was as added and mixed until dissolved. 6 gram of tripropylene glycol methyl ether was added and the mixture was cooled to <30C and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 3

65 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 80° C. 10 grams of dicyandiamide and 10 grams of thiourea were then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 38° C. and then 5 grams of n-butyl thiophosphoric triamide was charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. 15 grams of propylene glycol was charged to the vessel and the mixture was agitated for 30 minutes. The mixture was then cooled to <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 4

57.1 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 40° C. 20 grams of 2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, 22.9 grams of dipropylene glycol was charged the mixture was cooled to <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 5

58.3 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 25 grams of 3, 4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 38° C. and then 4.3 grams of tripropylene glycol methyl ether and 12.5 grams of propylene carbonate were charged to the vessel and the mixture was agitated for 30 minutes. The mixture was then cooled to <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 6

54.4 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 10 grams of 2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine and 15 grams of thiourea were then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 38° C. and then 10.6 grams of dipropylene glycol and 10 grams of propylene glycol were charged to the vessel and the mixture was agitated for 30 minutes. The mixture was then cooled to <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 7

45 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 25 grams of 1H-1,2,4,-triazole thiol was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 38° C. and then 30 grams of N,N-dimethyl 9-decenamide was added to the vessel and the mixture was agitated for 30 minutes. The mixture was then cooled to <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 8

50 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 15 grams of 2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 38° C. and then 5 grams of n-butylthiophosphoric triamide was and the resulting product was mixed until dissolved. 30 grams of dipropylene glycol was charged to the vessel and the mixture was agitated for 30 minutes. The mixture was then cooled to <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 9

80 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 80° C. 20 grams of dicyandiamide was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 30° C. and packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 10

80 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 38° C. 20 grams of n-butylthiophosphoric triamide was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 30° C. and packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 11

80 grams of propylene carbonate was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 38° C. 20 grams of n-butylthiophosphoric triamide was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 30 C and packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 12

80 grams of tripropylene glycol methyl ether was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 38° C. 20 grams of dicyandiamide was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 30° C. and packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 13

75 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 25 grams of 4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 30° C. and packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 14

50 grams of Example 9 and 50 grams of Example 10 were mixed together for 30 minutes and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 15

58.3 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 25 grams of 4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 30° C., 16.7 grams of propylene glycol was added, the formulation was mixed 30 minutes and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 16

80 grams of dipropylene glycol was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and heated to 38° C. 20 grams of 2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. The mixture was cooled to 30° C. and packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 17

50 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 80° C. 20 grams of dicyandiamide was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 30° C. and 16 grams of propylene carbonate, and 14 grams of propylene glycol were charged to the vessel and then mixed for 15 minutes and packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 18

80 grams of propylene glycol was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 20 grams of thiourea was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. The mixture was cooled to 30° C. and packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 19

50 grams of dimethyl acetamide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 38° C. 20 grams of n-butylthiophosphate triamide was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled to 30° C. and 20 grams of propylene carbonate and 10 grams of propylene glycol were charged to the vessel and mixed for 15 minutes and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 20

75 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 25 grams of 3, 4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

EXAMPLE 21

75 grams of dimethyl sulfoxide was charged to a vessel and then placed under strong agitation and then heated to 60° C. 25 grams of 2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine was then charged to the vessel and mixed until completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the mixture was cooled <30° C. and then packaged off in an appropriate container.

The below table 1 summarizes the compositions that occur in each of the examples. The presence of an “X” in table 1 means that the particular example composition contains that particular component.

TABLE 1 Example No. DMSO DCD TPGME CTMP thiourea NBPT PG DPG DMPP PC TT DD AT DMA 1 X X X 2 X X X X 3 X X X X X 4 X X X 5 X X X X 6 X X X X X 7 X X X 8 X X X X 9 X X 10 X X 11 X X 12 X X 13 X X 14 X X X 15 X X X 16 X 17 X X X X 18 X X 19 X X X X 20 X X 21 DMSO—dimethylsulfoxide TPGME—tripropylene glycol methyl ether NBPT—n-butyl thiophosphoric triamide DPG—dipropylene glycol PC—propylene carbonate DD—N,N-dimethyl 9-decenamide DMA—dimethyl acetamide DCD—dicyandiamide CTMP—2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine PG—propylene glycol DMPP—3,4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate TT—1H-1,2,4,-triazole thiol AT—4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole Samples from Examples 1-21 were evaluated for physical properties and the results are shown in the below Table 2:

TABLE 2 Stability Chill Human Flash Aquatic Sample 24 hrs @ Point Health Point Toxicity # 20° C. ° F. Rating ° F. Rating Ex 1 Stable  <−5° 1.0 >145° Low Ex 2 Stable  <−5° 1.0 >145° Low Ex 3 Stable  <−5° 1.0 >145° Low Ex 4 Stable     23° F. 1.0 >145° Low Ex 5 Stable  <−5° 1.0 >145° Low Ex 6 Stable      5° 1.0 >145° Low Ex 7 Stable     10° 2 >145° Medium Ex 8 Stable      5° 1 >145° Low Ex 9 Stable     25° 1 >145° Low Ex 10 Stable     32° 1 >145° Low Ex 11 cloudy     72° 1 >145° Low Ex 12 Not soluble N/A 1 >145° Low Ex 13 Stable     37.4 1 >145° Low Ex 14 Stable  <−5° 1 >145° Low Ex 15 Stable  <−5 1 >145° Low Ex 16 Not soluble N/A 1 >145° Low Ex 17 Stable    <5° 1 >145° Low Ex 18 Not soluble N/A 1 >145° Low Ex 19 Stable    <5° 3 <145° Medium Ex 20 Stable     55° 1 >145° Low Ex 21 Stable     55° 1 >145° Low The Human Health rating is based on HMIS (Hazardous Materials Information System) rating on Health of any organo solvent component >2% The Flash Point is based on flash point of any organo solvent component >5% The Aquatic Toxicity Rating is based on any organo solvent component at any level It should be apparent from the above table 2that a combination of factors will produce a solvent system that provides or gives a solution that includes at least one of the following:

-   -   a. soluble     -   b. environmentally safe     -   c. has a flashpoint above 145° F.     -   d. inherently rated safe for contact with humans and animals     -   e. results in a composition comprising at least one of         nitrification and urease inhibitors with a chill point <40° F.         or a chill point below 0° C.

In an embodiment, the composition results in a formulation that satisfies more than one of the above functional properties. In a variation, the formulations may have two of the above functional properties, or alternatively, three of the above functional properties, or alternatively, four of the above functional properties, or alternatively, all five of the above functional properties. Each of the functional properties may be desired (or emphasized) relative to the other functional properties based upon the intended use and transport of the compositions of the present invention. For example, one functional property may be emphasized based upon storage conditions of the formulations, or the shipping conditions of the formulations, or how the formulation is used, or based upon some other desired property. For example, if one knows that the formulation is likely to be stored at high temperatures for a long period of time, the functional property that provides the greatest stability of the formulation is likely to be used. Environmental safety may be emphasized if the formulations of the present invention are to be used where any potential run-off of the formulation is to be used near a drinking source.

In one embodiment of the present invention, compositions were made that gave favorable properties for most of the above listed functional properties. That is, the compositions of the present invention attempted to emphasize solubility, environmental safety, a low freeze chill point, a high flash point, and a composition that could be handled safely by both humans and/or animals.

The results as shown in the above table 2 demonstrate that the usage of a single aprotic solvent may in some instances show a much higher chill point product versus blends of aprotic & protic solvents. For example, comparing examples 4, 21 and 16 shows that a blend of DMSO with a protic solvent has a beneficial effect as it relates to the lower chill point and improving solubility. Other trends can be observed by comparing a) examples 9, example 1, example 12 and example 17, b) example 13 to example 15, and c) example 5 and example 20.

EXAMPLE 22

To better visualize coating and penetration on the urea prills, Example 17 was dyed with powdered ‘Rhodamine 6G’ dye (Sigma-Aldrich). The powdered dye (20 mg) was added to 10 mL of Example 17 and mixed thoroughly. The resulting product was reddish-purple in color. It was then topically applied to granulated urea at an application rate equivalent to 3 qt/ton. The resulting product was thoroughly mixed for three minutes, providing uniform coverage to the prills. The product was then allowed to sit for 3 hours.

Eight spherical prills of relatively uniform size were selected at random from the red-dyed covered urea. The prills were split in half with a razor blade. One half of each prill was glued to a piece of paper with the split face (middle) facing up, and the prills were photographed. The coverage on the urea prills was equally uniform as was the penetration of the prills. The average prill diameter was 3.2 mm (⅛ inch). Example 17 penetrated the prills approximately one-sixth of the diameter, or to a depth of 0.5 mm ( 1/48 inch). The penetration depth of 0.5 mm is visually demonstrated in FIG. 1. The average diameter 1 of each urea covered prill is shown in FIG. 1 as well as well as the average penetration depth 2.

EXAMPLE 23

An inhibition study was conducted as described below.

Experimental Outline:

A 12 week laboratory experiment was conducted in an incubation chamber set to a constant air temperature of 85° F. The experiment consisted of 4 replicate 1 quart disposal plastic tubs, each filled with 250 grams of wetted soil (a Marvyn loamy sand, which is approximately 80% sand), each of which was submitted to the appropriate treatments. Prior to placing the soil in the jar the sample was sieved through a 2 mm screen and wetted to an uniform water content (˜70% of field capacity). The background soil sample indicated the following parameters: soil pH: 5.6, phosphorus: 15 lb/A, potassium: 32 lb/A, magnesium: 20 lb/A and calcium: 139 lb/A. No lime or additional fertilizers were added to this soil.

The following 5 treatments were evaluated, and there were four replications of each treatment.

Sample Treatment 1 4 quarts of Example 17 per ton of urea 2 6 quarts of Example 17 per ton of urea 3 8 quarts of Example 17 per ton of urea 4 Urea only control 5 No fertilizer control The correct amount of Example 17 to treat one pound of urea was calculated, and that amount was sprayed on to the urea using an air brush sprayer. Example 17 was not diluted, and a uniform coating was achieved. The treated (and untreated) ureas were then mixed at an N ratio of 120 pounds N/acre. The corresponding N ratio was calculated using the area of the plastic tub.

The soil-fertilizer mix was placed into the incubator. Each week thereafter (for 12 weeks) the following occurred: 1) each bin was removed from the incubator, opened and lightly mixed before sampling, 2) a 2 g subsample of soil was removed for soil-water content determination, and, 3) a 2 g subsample of soil was removed for soil nitrate and ammonium concentration (via 2M KCl extraction). The bins were resealed and returned to the incubator until the next sampling date.

Conclusions:

Application of Example 17 at 4 qt/T significantly increased soil ammonium-N at weeks 4, 5 and 6. When Example 17 was applied at 6 qt/T there was more soil ammonium-N (as compared to the urea only treatment) at weeks 3 and 6. The best inhibition of nitrification was observed when the Example 17 was applied at 8 qt/T, as soil ammonium in that treatment was greater than measured in the urea only treatment at weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. This ratio gives the best inhibition of nitrification.

If nitrification is inhibited, the nitrogen content resulting from ammonium will accumulate, as the ammonium to nitrate conversion is slowed. Since nitrate-N production is slowed, the treatments to which an inhibitor should have reduced nitrate-N. This was observed when the highest rate of Example 17 was applied (8 qt/T) and the effect was significant (as compared to the urea only treatments) in weeks 4, 5, 6 and 7. When lower rates of Example 17 were applied, the effect was only significant at weeks 5 and 7.

In this one time, 8 week incubation study when Example 17 was applied to urea at 8 qt/Ton it exhibited significant nitrification inhibitory properties.

EXAMPLE 24

A degradation study was performed using 2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine /nBPT in DMSO and the results are shown in table 3 below.

2-chloro-6-trichloromethylpyridine /NBPT=1/1(w/w) mixture was dissolved in DMSO. LC (liquid chromatography) analysis was done to analyze the content decrease along with time and the results are shown in table 3. All samples were sealed and protected under N₂. All sample were stored at 50° C. The analysis conditions were as follows: C18 column, 255nm. Retention time: 40min. Temperature: 30° C. 15 μL injection. Peak areas were calculated to analyze the concentration.

TABLE 3 DMSO Solvent n- solute 2-chloro-6- butylthiophosphoric Week # trichloromethylpyridine triamide 1 100 100 2 99 99.6 3 99.4 98 4 98.3 97.6 6 95.3 96.5 7 93.2 95.3 8 92.3 94.7 9 90.8 93 10 88 92.2 11 86.7 92.1 12 86.4 91.7 13 85 91 14 84.33 90.88 15 83.56 90.01 16 81.45 99.55 17 81 89.06 18 80.09 88.6 Both actives showed good stability in DMSO at 50° C. for 18 weeks.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition comprising one or more nitrification inhibitors in an organic liquid solvating system comprising a mixture of aprotic and protic solvents

wherein a first aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide, dialkyl sulfoxide, diaryl sulfoxide, or an alkylaryl sulfoxide having the formula R₁—S(O)—R₂, wherein R₁ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl and R₂ is ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl, and a protic solvent is one or more of

-   -   a) an alcohol or polyol from the family of alkylene and         poly(alkylene) glycols     -   b) an alkylene glycol selected from the group consisting of         ethylene, propylene, and butylene glycol,     -   c) glycerin,     -   d) an alkylene glycol alkyl ether selected from the group         comprising of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene         glycol methyl ether, and tripropylene glycol butyl ether     -   e) an alkanolamine selected from the group comprising of         ethanolamine, diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, methyl         diethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and triethanolamine, and/or     -   f) ethyl, propyl, or butyl lactate         wherein the organic liquid solvating system meets the following         criteria:     -   a. environmentally safe     -   b. has a flashpoint above 145° F.     -   c. inherently rated safe for contact with humans and animals     -   d. able to provide improved and even application to fertilizer         granules of nitrification inhibitors while not causing clumping         of the granules     -   e. results in a composition comprising at least one of         nitrification inhibitor at levels of 1-50% with a Chill Point         <40° F.

In an embodiment the composition comprises a nitrification inhibitor that is one or more of the following 1) dicyandiamide, 2) 2-chloro-6 trichloromethylpyridine, 3) 4-amino-1,2,4-6-triazole-HCl, 4) 2,4-diamino-6-trichloromethyltriazine, 5) thiourea, 6) 1-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine, or 7) 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate.

In one variation, the composition comprises an aprotic solvent in the mixture that is dimethyl sulfoxide. In a variation, dimethyl sulfoxide comprises between about 10 and 90% of the total composition.

In one embodiment, the nitrification inhibitor(s) is/are present in an amount that is between about 5-45% of a total formulation amount and the composition also contains a mixture of DMSO and one or more protic solvents in ratios that are between about 20/80 to 80/20.

In an embodiment, the composition further comprises: one or more of aprotic solvents present in the amount of 0.5-15%, surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, colorants, micro-nutrients, dispersed nitrification inhibitors, dispersed urease inhibitor(s), crystallization inhibitors and/or flow modifiers.

In an embodiment, the nitrification inhibitor(s) is/are present in an amount that is between about 5-45% of a total formulation amount and the formulation also comprises N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide in an amount that is between about 5-45% of the total formulation amount.

In one embodiment, the composition is substantially free of water.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a fertilizer granule or liquid additive, which comprises one or more nitrification inhibitors in an organic liquid solvating system comprising a mixture of aprotic and protic solvents: wherein a first aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide, dialkyl sulfoxide, diaryl sulfoxide, or an alkylaryl sulfoxide having the formula R₁—S(O)—R₂, wherein R₁ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl and R₂ is ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl, and a protic solvent is one or more of

-   -   a) an alcohol or polyol from the family of alkylene and         poly(alkylene) glycols     -   b) an alkylene glycol selected from the group consisting of         ethylene, propylene, and butylene glycol,     -   c) glycerin,     -   d) an alkylene glycol alkyl ether selected from the group         comprising of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene         glycol methyl ether, and tripropylene glycol butyl ether     -   e) an alkanolamine selected from the group comprising of         ethanolamine, diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, methyl         diethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and triethanolamine, and/or     -   f) ethyl, propyl, or butyl lactate         wherein the organo liquid solvating system meets the following         criteria:     -   a. Environmentally safe     -   b. Have flashpoint above 145 F     -   c. Inherently rated safe for contact with humans and animals     -   d. able to provide improved and even application to fertilizer         granules of nitrification inhibitors while not causing clumping         of the granules     -   e. results in a composition comprising at least one of         nitrification inhibitor at levels of 1 -50% with a Chill Point         <40° F.

In an embodiment, the fertilizer granule or liquid additive comprises one or more nitrification inhibitors such as 1) dicyandiamide, 2) 2-chloro-6 trichloromethyl)pyridine, 3) 4-amino-1,2,4-6-triazole-HCl, 4) 2,4-diamino-6-trichloromethyltriazine, 5) thiourea, 6) 1-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine, or 7) 3,4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate.

In a variation, the fertilizer granule or liquid additive may further comprise one or more urease inhibitors such as phosphoric triamides, thiophosphoric triamides or alkylated thiophosphoric triamides, wherein the alkylated thiophosphoric triamides have one or more alkyl groups that independently contain between 1 and 6 carbon atoms.

In an embodiment, the fertilizer granule or liquid additive may contain one or more nitrification inhibitors such as 1) dicyandiamide, 2) 2-chloro-6 trichloromethyl)pyridine, 3) 4-amino-1,2,4-6-triazole-HCl, 4) 2,4-diamino-6-trichloromethyltriazine, 5) thiourea, 6) 1-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and 2-Amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine, or 7) 3,4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate; wherein the one or more urease inhibitors comprises phosphoramides.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to making the compositions and fertilizer granules and liquid additives of the present invention. In one variation, the method relates to making a composition to be added to a fertilizer comprising:

heating a mixture comprising one or more nitrification inhibitors in an organic liquid solvating system comprising a mixture of aprotic and protic solvents

wherein a first aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide, dialkyl sulfoxide, diaryl sulfoxide, or an alkylaryl sulfoxide having the formula R₁—S(O)—R₂, wherein R₁ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl and R₂ is ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl or benzyl, and a protic solvent is one or more of

-   -   a) an alcohol or polyol from the family of alkylene and         poly(alkylene) glycols     -   b) an alkylene glycol selected from the group consisting of         ethylene, propylene, and butylene glycol,     -   c) glycerin,     -   d) an alkylene glycol alkyl ether selected from the group         comprising of dipropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene         glycol methyl ether, and tripropylene glycol butyl ether     -   e) an alkanolamine selected from the group comprising of         ethanolamine, diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, methyl         diethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and triethanolamine, and/or     -   f) ethyl, propyl, or butyl lactate         wherein the organo liquid solvating system meets the following         criteria:     -   Are environmentally safe;     -   Have flashpoints above 145° F.;     -   Are inherently rated safe for contact with humans and animals;     -   Maintain the nitrification inhibitors at levels of 1-50% in         solution to storage temperatures down to at least 10° C.;     -   Provides improved even application to fertilizer granules of         nitrification inhibitors while not causing clumping of the         granules.     -   Substantially free of water         and cooling the mixture to a temperature that optionally allows         an addition of one or more of aprotic solvents present in the         amount of 0.5-15%, surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking         agents, colorants, micro-nutrients, dispersed nitrification         inhibitors, dispersed urease inhibitor(s), crystallization         inhibitors and/or flow modifiers.

In a variation, the method further comprises adding the composition to a fertilizer granule or liquid as an additive.

In one variation, the method makes a composition wherein the one or more nitrification inhibitors is selected from the group consisting of 1) dicyandiamide, 2) 2-chloro-6 trichloromethyl)pyridine, 3) 4-amino-1,2,4-6-triazole-HCl, 4) 2,4-diamino-6-trichloromethyltriazine, 5) thiourea, 6) 1-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine, and 7) 3,4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate.

In one variation, the method uses one or more urease inhibitors selected from the group consisting of phosphoric triamides, thiophosphoric triamides and alkylated thiophosphoric triamides, wherein the alkylated thiophosphoric triamides have one or more alkyl groups that independently contain between 1 and 6 carbon atoms.

In one variation, the method uses one or more nitrification inhibitors such as 1) dicyandiamide, 2) 2-chloro-6 trichloromethyl)pyridine, 3) 4-amino-1,2,4-6-triazole-HCl, 4) 2,4-diamino-6-trichloromethyltriazine, 5) thiourea, 6) 1-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine, 7) 3,4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate; and the one or more urease inhibitors comprises phosphoramides.

In one variation of the method, the method employs steps so as to make sure that the composition is substantially free of water.

The following references are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

4,234,332 Michaud 4,294,604 Evrard 5,024,689 A 6/1991 Sutton et al. 5,106,984 Halpen 6,488,734 Barth 8,562,711 Sutton WO WO 2008/000196

It is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the present invention that any feature that is described above can be combined with any other feature that is described above. When mixtures, formulations and/or compositions are discussed, it should be understood that those mixtures, formulations and/or compositions are contemplated as being parts of bigger mixtures, formulations and/or compositions. It is also contemplated that any feature or member of a group can be omitted from a list of possible features and/or members. Further, if a composition is enumerated, methods using and methods of making that composition are contemplated and within the scope of the present invention. When a range is discussed, it is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the invention that any number that falls within that range is contemplated as an end point generating a plurality of sub-ranges within that range. For example if a range of 1-10 is given, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are contemplated as end points to generate a sub-range that fit within the scope of the enumerated range. Moreover, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates minor modifications that can be made to the compositions and methods of the present invention. In any event, the present invention is defined by the below claims. 

We claim:
 1. A fertilizer composition comprising; A. urea, and B. a liquid fertilizer additive comprised of one or more nitrification inhibitors that have been solubilized within an organic liquid solvating system wherein said organic liquid solvating system comprises aprotic solvents and wherein said nitrification inhibitors comprise one or more members selected from the group consisting of: a. dicyandiamide, b. 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)pyridine, c. 4-amino 1,2,4-6-triazole-HCl, d. 2,4-diamino-6-trichloromethyltriazine, e. Thiourea, f. 1-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole, and g. 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine, C. a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises a powdered colorant, which is dispersed within the organic liquid solvating system or dispersed in the liquid fertilizer additive, wherein said liquid fertilizer additive comprises 1-50% of said nitrification inhibitors and wherein said liquid fertilizer additive has a flash point above 145° F. and is substantially free of water.
 2. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein said liquid fertilizer additive comprises the aprotic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide.
 3. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein said liquid fertilizer additive comprises the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide.
 4. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the liquid fertilizer additive further comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, micro-nutrients, dispersed urease inhibitor(s), crystallization inhibitors and flow modifiers.
 5. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein said nitrification inhibitors of the liquid fertilizer additive further comprises 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate.
 6. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein said fertilizer composition further comprises water thereby resulting in a liquid fertilizer.
 7. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the colorant is a food coloring or dye.
 8. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the liquid fertilizer additive comprises an aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of i. dimethyl sulfoxide, and ii. and one or more sulfoxide(s) selected from the group consisting of dialkyl, diaryl, or alkylaryl sulfoxide(s) selected from the formula structure: R⁹S(O)_(x)R¹⁰ wherein
 1. R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently a C₁-C₆ alkylene group, an aryl group or C₁-C₃ alkylenearyl group,
 2. or R⁹ and R¹⁰ with the sulfur to which they are attached form a 4 to 8 membered ring wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ together are a C₁-C₆ alkylene group which optionally contains one or more atoms selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, Te, N, and P in the ring, and
 3. x=1.
 9. The fertilizer composition of claim 8, wherein the fertilizer composition further comprises poly(C₁₋₁₀alkylene) glycol.
 10. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the fertilizer composition further comprises poly(C₁₋₁₀alkylene) glycol.
 11. A fertilizer composition comprising: a. urea, b. a liquid fertilizer additive comprising dicyandiamide and dimethyl sulfoxide, c. a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises a powdered colorant, which is dispersed within the organic liquid solvating system or dispersed in the liquid fertilizer additive, wherein the fertilizer additive is made by heating a mixture of dicyandiamide and dimethyl sulfoxide to 40-100° C. to effectuate the dissolution of the dicyandiamide into the dimethyl sulfoxide and mixing of the ingredients to attain a composition wherein the dicyandiamide is present in an amount that is between about 5-50% of a total formulation amount, and wherein said liquid fertilizer additive has a flash point above 145° F. and is substantially free of water.
 12. The fertilizer composition of claim 11, wherein the liquid fertilizer additive further comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, micro-nutrients, dispersed urease inhibitor(s), crystallization inhibitors and flow modifiers.
 13. The fertilizer composition of claim 11, wherein said liquid fertilizer additive further comprises water thereby resulting in a liquid fertilizer.
 14. The fertilizer composition of claim 11, wherein the colorant is a food coloring or dye.
 15. The fertilizer composition of claim 11, wherein the fertilizer composition further comprises poly(C₁₋₁₀alkylene) glycol.
 16. A fertilizer composition comprising: a. urea, b. a liquid fertilizer additive comprised of one or more nitrification inhibitor(s) that have been solubilized within an organic liquid solvating system, c. a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises a powdered colorant, which is dispersed within the organic liquid solvating system or dispersed in the liquid fertilizer additive, wherein said organic liquid solvating system comprises aprotic solvents and protic solvents and wherein said nitrification inhibitors comprise one or more members selected from the group consisting of: i. dicyandiamide, ii. 2-chloro-6 trichloromethyl)pyridine, iii. 4-amino-1,2,4-6-triazole-HCl, iv. 2,4-diamino-6-trichloromethyltriazine, v. thiourea, vi. 1-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole, and vii. 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine, wherein said aprotic solvents comprise one or more members selected from the group consisting of a. dimethyl sulfoxide, and b. one or more sulfoxide(s) comprising dialkyl, diaryl, or alkylaryl sulfoxide(s) from the formula: R⁹S(O)_(x)R¹⁰ wherein i. R⁹ and R¹⁰are each independently a C₁-C₆ alkylene group, an, aryl group or C₁-C₃ alkylenearyl group, ii. or R⁹ and R¹⁰ with the sulfur to which they are attached form a 4 to 8 membered ring wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ together are a C₁-C₆ alkylene group which optionally contains one or more atoms selected from, the group consisting of O, S, Se, Te, N, and P in the ring, and iii. x=1 wherein the protic solvents comprise one or more members selected from of the group consisting of: a. one or more alkylene glycols selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol, b. one or more poly(alkylene) glycols selected from the group consisting of poly(C₁-C₁₀ alkylene) glycols, c. glycerin, d. one or more alkylene glycol alkyl ethers selected from the group consisting of tripropylene glycol methyl ether, and tripropylene glycol butyl ether, e. one or more alkanolamines selected from the group consisting of ethanolamine, diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, methyl diethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and triethanolamine, and f. one or more alkyl lactates selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl, and butyl lactate, such that said liquid fertilizer additive comprises 5-50% of said nitrification inhibitors, and wherein said liquid fertilizer additive has a flash point above 145° F. and is substantially free of water.
 17. The fertilizer composition of claim 16, wherein said organic liquid solvating system of the liquid fertilizer additive further comprises one or more aprotic solvents selected from the group consisting of a. propylene carbonate, b. N,N-dimethyl 9-decenamide, and c. dimethyl acetamide, and the protic solvent is dipropylene glycol methyl ether.
 18. The fertilizer composition of claim 16, wherein the aprotic solvent of the liquid fertilizer additive comprises dimethyl sulfoxide.
 19. The fertilizer composition of claim 16, wherein said nitrification inhibitors of the liquid fertilizer additive further comprises 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate.
 20. The fertilizer composition of claim 16, wherein the liquid fertilizer additive further comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, micro-nutrients, dispersed urease inhibitor(s), crystallization inhibitors and flow modifiers.
 21. The fertilizer composition of claim 16, wherein the fertilizer composition further comprises water thereby resulting in a liquid fertilizer.
 22. The fertilizer composition of claim 16, wherein the colorant is a food coloring or dye.
 23. The fertilizer composition of claim 16, wherein the protic solvents comprises poly(C₁₋₁₀alkylene) glycol.
 24. A fertilizer composition comprising: A. urea, B. a liquid fertilizer additive comprising a) dicyandiamide, b) an aprotic solvent that is dimethyl sulfoxide, and c) one or more protic solvents, C. a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises a powdered colorant, which is dispersed within the organic liquid solvating system or dispersed in the liquid fertilizer additive, wherein the liquid fertilizer additive is made by heating a mixture of dicyandiamide and dimethyl sulfoxide to 40-100° C. to effectuate dissolution of the dicyandiamide into the dimethyl sulfoxide, adding the protic solvents and mixing to attain a composition wherein the dicyandiamide is present in an amount that is between about 5-50% of a total formulation amount and wherein the one or more protic solvents comprise one or more members selected from the group consisting of: a. one or more alkylene glycols selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol, b. one or more poly(alkylene) glycols selected from the group consisting of poly(C₁-C₁₀ alkylene) glycols, c. glycerin, d. one or more alkylene glycol alkyl ethers selected from the group consisting of tripropylene glycol methyl ether, and tripropylene glycol butyl ether, e. one or more alkanolamines selected from the group consisting of ethanolamine, diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, methyl diethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and triethanolamine, and f. one or more alkyl lactates selected from the group consisting of ethyl, propyl and butyl lactate, and wherein said liquid fertilizer additive has a flash point above 145° F. and is substantially free of water.
 25. The fertilizer composition of claim 24, wherein said liquid fertilizer additive further comprises one or more aprotic solvents selected from the group consisting of: a. dimethyl sulfoxide, b. one or more sulfoxide(s) selected from the group consisting of dialkyl, diaryl, or alkylaryl sulfoxide(s) selected from the formula structure: R⁹S(O)_(x)R¹⁰ wherein i. R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently a C₁-C₆ alkylene group, an aryl group or C₁-C₃ alkylenearyl group ii. or R⁹ and R¹⁰ with the sulfur to which they are attached form a 4 to 8 membered ring wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ together are a C₁-C₆ alkylene group which optionally contains one or more atoms selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se, Te, N, and P in the ring, and iii. x=1 c. propylene carbonate, d. N,N-dimethyl 9-decenamide, e. and dimethyl acetamide and the protic solvent is dipropylene glycol methyl ether.
 26. The fertilizer composition of claim 24, wherein the liquid fertilizer additive further comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of surfactants, buffers, fragrance/odor masking agents, micro-nutrients, dispersed urease inhibitor(s), crystallization inhibitors, and flow modifiers.
 27. The fertilizer composition of claim 24, wherein the fertilizer composition further comprises water thereby resulting in a liquid fertilizer.
 28. The fertilizer composition of claim 24, wherein said liquid fertilizer additive comprises a maximum weight percent of 95% of said aprotic solvent and said one or more protic solvents.
 29. The fertilizer composition of claim 24, wherein the colorant is a food coloring or dye.
 30. The fertilizer composition of claim 24, wherein the one or more protic solvents comprise poly(C₁₋₁₀alkylene) glycol. 